The State Council of the PRC has released its 14th Five Year Plan (2021-2025) for the Tourism Industry.
The government of the PRC says it will resume promoting inbound tourism when the COVID-19 pandemic is "under control," by enhancing promotion and improving services so as to foster international cultural exchanges and high-quality tourism development.
Specific future actions cited include:
- Policy changes in regard to inbound and outbound tourism to ensure pandemic prevention
- Increased convenience for inbound tourists including self-drive tours and cruises
- Overseas booking and bank-card payments
- Improved internet and translation services
- Development of new/improved tourism products, especially in urban areas
- Increased international cooperation in shipping, border control, vaccinations and medical insurance
- Development of sports tourism, building upon the Beijing 2022 winter Olympic Games.
Historically, inbound tourism to the PRC has been limited by the country's lack of English-speaking workers, high-quality accommodations and overseas destination marketing.
China also wishes to enhance development of outbound tourism through cooperation of other countries in areas including visa-free access, language, catering, insurance, security and payment solutions for Chinese tourists.
Related to that, the PRC Government also said:
"A modern tourism governance system should be in place for handling tourist complaints to safeguard their legitimate rights and interests, emergency responses, as well as prevention and control of major risks from disasters and accidents."
That comment is perhaps directed particularly at the US, which many in China have said they consider to be an unsafe destination because of anti-Asian sentiment and crimes, police violence and natural disasters.
